Bread slicing machine



Sep. 26, 1939. H. J. CRINER 2,174,257

BREAD SLICING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l ...r-v ngi.

f W1 f* ,3 INVENTOR. x "7/ 1 vf I d M @MM ATTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1939. H. J. CRINER 2,174,257

BREAD SLICING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/Z9 WMINVENTOR.

BY l

l ATTORNEXS,

SePt- 26, 1939. H. J. CRINER 2,174,257

BREAD SLICING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

1 ATTORNEYS'.

Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFF-ICE BREAD SLICING MACHINE Application October `20, 1937, Serial No. 170,027

10 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in bread slicing machines.

The objects of lmy invention are to provide simple means for .driving the blade frames of -a reciprocating bread slicing machine, or other reciprocating apparatus, which will greatly reduce vibration therein; to provide facile means for changing the kgauge `of a bread slicing or other similar machine; to provide means for changing the blade frames without disturbing the vadjustment of the carrier frames in which the blade frames are mounted; to provide means for balancing and driving frames and other opposed parts reciprocatingly.

I accomplish these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure i is an elevation partly in section of one of the carrier frames, vvithy blade frameattached thereto;

Figure 2 is a detail top View ofl the carrier and blade frames showing the machine frame in section;

Figure Y3 is a sectional view of a carrier and blade frame on the line-3--3 of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are views ofan alternate form of blade frame;

Figures 6 and '7 are details showing alternative forms for fastening the blade frames to the carrier frames;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of -myasseim bled `machine with driving means, on the line 8-8 of Figure 9;

Figure 9 is a sectional `elevation on the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure l0 is a detail end View of the driving lever.

My machine comprises a housing l and may be either built up of suitable plates or a unitary rectangular casting as shown, with a top or cover plate la which may be secured thereto by bolts I6 or other suitable means, and having openings ,A and B at the front and` rear ends through which the bread to be sliced may be fed into and discharged from the machine by or to any desired feeding or discharging appliances. I make no claim in this application for any particular form of feeding or discharging appliance, various forms being Well-known and in common use.

In the upper part of the side plates of the housing I form V-shaped channels .or guideways eX- tending vertically the full length of. the carrier frames travel. Such channels and means to adjust the frames therein are Well known and I make no claim for any particular form of channel or guideway. In these V,shaped channels I (Cl. 14S-153) mount the side bars ..2 of the carrier frames. The side bars .2 of each carrier frame are preferably united at the bottom by a crossbar 2a yand at the top by a crossbar Il] With a strengthening rib IIJ" formed integraltherewith, but may be of various forms.

The side bars 2 are preferably made in channeled form and are machined to receive .a blade frame having side members .5 and formed in T-shape in section and which are rigidly secured in the channels of the side bars 2.by set screws li and H which thread into lugslZ .and IZ formed integral. with the side bars of the carrier frame. The blade frame is thus rigidly secured in the .carrier frame and moves with it as the carrier frame travels .up and down inthe V- shaped grooves of the housing.

The side bars 5 of the blade frames are preferably united at the top and bottom by .H-shaped bars 4 formed integral with the side bars 6.

In order to reduce `Weight and consequent vibrations, I prefer to make the carrier framesof very light material such as duralurnin ora similar alloy, and to make the blade frames of similar material.

The upper and lower cross-members 4 .of the blade frames are provided vvith `projecting ,lugs 4 and 4" which are .provided with slots 8 adapted to receive the ends of the blades 8 Which are secured in the lugs by `pins 8".

I have shown the blades secured in place by pins, but .it is obvious that any of the desired forms of attachment in common use may be applied thereto.

The lugs upon the front blade frame project to vthe rear and the lugs upon the rear blade frame project forwardly and are arranged in alternation, so that th-e cutting edges of all the Yblades are caused to travel .in a common plane.

In order to change blade frames for the .purpose of replacing broken blades, sharpening blades or to change the gauge of the machine to change the thickness of the slices, it is Aonly necessary to remove the top plate la and then to take out the set screws H and II. When this is done, the .blade frames may be lifted up and out of the carrier frames freely and other blade frames, having a different gauge, inserted therein.

In Figures 6 and 7 I have shown an alternate form of fastening the blade frame to Vthe carrier frame with lugs 4a formed at the top of the carrier frame and the setscreWs Il securing the top plate 4 of the blade frame to the lugs.

In the forms of machines now in use, when the blade frames are removed and replaced, it is necessary to readjust the guideways or slides in which the frames travel. With my invention, this diiiiculty is obviated. When the carrier frames are once properly seated and adjusted in the grooves of the housing, the adjustment is not disturbed in any way by changing blade frames, thus avoiding the necessity of taking time to readjust the frames and guides, and avoiding the difficulties which often arise from the improper readjustment of such parts by unskilled mechanics. In order to further reduce vibration in my machine, I provide means for balancing the carrier frames and their connecting rods so that the downward impact or inertia of one frame at the lower end of its stroke, is balanced or 01T- set by the upward impact or inertia of the oppositely moving frame which reaches the top of its stroke at the same time the rst mentioned frame reaches the bottom of its stroke.

'I'his may be accomplished by the means illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, or by other suitable means. In Figures 9 and 10 I have shown the preferred form of balancing and driving apparatus in which the lower crossbar 2a of each of the carrier frames has united thereto a hub or boss I4 to which a pushrod I3 may be united by being threaded therein as at I3', or by other suitable means. The lower end of the pushrod vI3 is pivoted to the upper end of a connecting rod I3a by a pivot pin I3b. The lower end of the connecting rod |3a is forked at |30, and this fork straddles and embraces a block 20 to which it is united by pins I8 which may be united to the block 20 by any suitable means, so that the fork |3c may pivot upon the pins I8.

The pins I8 are formed with heads I8 and with threads I8 by which they may be united to the blocks 2U. The pins I8 are preferably made of extremely hard steel and may be readily taken out and replaced when worn, or the openings in the yoke I9 may be trued up when worn and pins I8 having a larger body but with the same size thread, may be inserted to compensate for the change in size. Pins or keys 2 a and 2 Ib may be inserted in suitable bores in the driving rod or lever 2| to' secure the blocks 20 against longitudinal movement of the driving lever 2|.

A motor 21 having a foot plate 29 is mounted upon suitable lugs 30 cast in the lower part of the housing I by set screws 28 or other suitable means. 'I'his motor is provided with a vertical motor shaft 26 upon the upper end of which a head 25 is rigidly secured for rotation with the shaft 26. The head 25 has its upper face beveled and an inclined crank-pin 23 is united to the head 25 projecting upwardly from its face and inclined inwardly so that the center point of the crank-pin 23 is always in line with the axis of the motor shaft 26.

A driving rod 2| formed integral with a hub 24 is mounted upon the crank-pin 23 the hub 24 being bored out to permit the driving rod 2| to be seated upon the crank-pin 23 to which it may be secured by a washer 22 and key 22 or other suitable means.

'I'he driving rod or lever 2| is cylindrical in form and projects to the front and rear of the hub 24. Bores are formed in the blocks 20 through which the outer ends of the driving lever 2| project and in which the driving lever 2| is free to rotate as it changes position relative to the head 25. The pins I 8, the block 20, the portion of the driving lever 2| passing therethrough, and the yoke I 3c form a sort of universal joint which permits sufficient movement to accommodate the travel of the crank-pin 23 and the limited rotation of the driving lever 2| without displacing the connecting rods I3a laterally.

Stops 2 lal may be formed upon the driving lever 2| at the inner ends of the blocks 20 and the outer ends of the blocks 20 may be secured by pins or keys 2 Ib.

In this form of apparatus it will be seen that as the motor shaft 26 and head 25 revolve, the crank-pin 23 has its base carried around in a circle with the center point of the crank-pin continually in line with the center of such circle; and the upper end of the crank-pin being inclined inwardly, when the crank-pin is at its rearmost point of travel as shown in Figure 9, it is obvious that the driving rod 2| will have its rear end extending upwardly at an angle which will reach its highest point of travel and its forward end will be inclined downwardly to its lowest point of travel. When the crank-pin is in the opposite position, the positions of the ends of the driving rod 2| will be reversed. The carrier frames will travel up and down at the same time as the ends of the driving rod to which they are respectively attached by the connecting rods.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated an alternate form of blade and carrier frame in which a top plate I 6 is united to the side bars 2 and a frame 1 cut from a rectangular plate of metal, is provided with lugs 4 and united to the carrier frame by set screws I 1.

In order to change blades with this form of construction, it is only necessary to unbolt the frame 1 leaving the carrier frame in its adjusted position in the side frames of the housing I without disturbing same.

It is obvious that various forms of frames may be utilized with the driving apparatus described by me and I do not limit my claims to the form of frames shown. Likewise, various modifications in the arrangement and form of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not limit my claims to the precise forms shown or described.

In the operation of my machine, the housing, motor, driving lever, connecting rods and carrier frames are iirst assembled, with the carrier frames tted into the slides or guideways, so as to' travel smoothly therein. The blade frames with the blades properly secured therein, are then seated in the carrier frames and rigidly bolted or otherwise secured thereto. The top plate is then bolted in place on the top of the housing.

The motor is then started and as the motor shaft 26 revolves, it carries the base of the crankpin 23 around in a circle, but with the center point of the driving lever always in direct line with the axis of the motor shaft. 'Ihe inclination of the crank-pin 23 upon which the driving lever 2| is pivoted, causes the lever to stand at an angle as shown in Figure 9 when the crank-pin is in the position there shown, and as the crank-pin is carried around to the opposite position, the rear end of the driving lever 2| will descend and the front end of the driving lever will be raised correspondingly, and the movements of the ends of the driving levers will carry with them the connecting rods and the carrier frames to which they are attached.

It will be noted that with my construction, the longitudinal aXis of the driving lever will always travel in a single plane and the lower ends of the connecting rods will always be in that same plane, thus avoiding any need of universal joints between the connecting rods and the frames and avoiding certain vibration of the frames that .might otherwise occur.

When the crank-pin is in the lateral positions intermediate the front and rear positions just described, the crank-pin being inclined toward the center, will cause the driving lever 2l to rotate somewhat within the blocks 20 but as it is free to rotate in said blocks, the blocks themselves will not be turned out of their normal vertical positions in which they are held by the yokes lid. As the yokes i3d are free to pivot upon the pins Ifand to-swing upon the pivots 13b; the connecting rods can accommodate themselves to the various elevations of the respective ends of the driving .lever 2|.

The same effect results when the ball and socket joint shown in Figure 10 is utilized in place of the blocks 2li and `pins i8,

The inclination of the yface of the head 25 and of the crank-pin 23 may be varied to meet the requirements vof each particular case, but inasmuch as the common forms of slicing machines commonly operate with a very short stroke, from one to two inches being considered sufficient in the smaller types of machines, it is obvious that avery moderate inclination of the crank-pin will afford sufficient vertical stroke to the ends of the driving lever to cause sufficient travel of the carrier frames.

With the forms of carrier frames heretofore in use, considerable difficulty has arisen from the vibration caused by the reciprocation of the frames. The form of frames shown by me permits careful balancing of the frames and the driving apparatus shown can likewise be readily balanced, and is of such form as to effectively reduce vibration. Both the ball and socket joint in Figure l0, and the universal joint shown in Figures V8 and 9, readily lend themselves to adjustment or replacement to take up slack due to wear.

It is obvious that various changes in the form and proportion of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and `I do not limit my claims to the precise forms shown in the drawings.

vI claim:

l. In a bread slicing machine of the class described, a pair of frames mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in altervvnation therein, each frame carrying a plurality of blades and all of said blades arranged to travel insubstantiallythe same vertical plane, a driveshaft below and with its vertical axis in line with `the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined eranlrpin with offset base united to the top of the drive-shaft extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, and blocks revolvably mounted upon the cuter ends of the driving lever and pivoted in the said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the traveling frames respectively.

2. In a bread slicing machine of the class described, having a pair of frames mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in alternation therein, each frame carrying a plurality of blades and all of said blades arranged `to travel -in `substantially the same vertical plane,

a `drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in .lineswith the Aplane of travel of the blades, an

inclined `crankpin with offset base extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the `shaft extended with its center point in the line -of Asuch axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon Asuch crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending laterally iniopposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of ysaid crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer `ends ofthe driving lever and pivoted in the said yolres, lsaid connecting rods having their Vupper ends pivoted in yokes united to the travelling frames respectively, said blocks being slidably removable fromisaid driving lever, and stops detachably united-to the driving lever to limit longitudinal movement of the blocks thereon.

3. A driving mechanism to reciprocate oppositely traveling frames slidingly mounted in a suitable support, comprising a drive-shaft in line -parallel with the line-of travel of the frame,

an inclined crankpin with offset base united to the top of the drive-shaft extending forwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft produced with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin `having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis produced passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon one end respectively, and blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in the said yokes, said connecting rods having their opposite ends pivoted in yokes united to the traveling frames respectively.

4. A driving mechanism to reciprocate oppo- .sitely traveling bodies in a suitable support, comprising a drive-shaft lspaced from and in line parallel -with the line of travel of the bodies, a

`crankpin with offset base united to the shaft inclining inwardly and with a central point in the line of the axis of said shaft produced, a driving lever medially mounted on said crankpin as a pivot Iwith its longitudinal axis produced passing through said center point, and connecting rods having .their upper ends pivotally united to the bodies respectively, and their lower ends forming yokes pivoted to blocks revolvably mounted upon the corresponding ends of the driving lever 5. `A driving mechanism to reciprocate oppoi;

sitely traveling balanced bodies in a suitable support, comprising a drive-shaft spaced from and in line parallel with the line of travel of the bodies, a crankpin united to the shaft and inclining inwardly and with a central point in the line `of the axis of said shaft produced, a driving lever medially mounted on said crankpin as a pivot with its longitudinal axis produced passing through said center, and connecting rods having their upper ends pivotally united to the bodies respectively, and their lower ends forming yokes pivoted to blocks revolvably mounted upon the corresponding ends of the driving lever.

6. In a bread slicing machine of the class described, a pair of balanced rectangular frames slidably mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in alternation therein, each frame having removably united thereto a rectangular plate with its central portion removed and carrying a plurality of blades having their ends united to the top and bottom of said plate respectively and all of said blades arranged to travel in substantially the same vertical plane, a drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in line with the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined crankpin with offset base united to the top of the drive-shaft extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, in combination with blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the balanced frames respectively.

7 In a bread slicing machine of the class described, having a pair of frames mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in alternation therein, each frame carrying a plurality of blades and al1 of said blades arranged to travel in substantially the same vertical plane, a drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in line with the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined crankpin with offset base extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending laterally in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in the said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the traveling frames respectively, said blocks being slidably movable upon said driving lever, and stops detachably united to the driving lever to limit longitudinal movement of the blocks thereon.

8. In a bread slicing machine, a supporting frame including a pair of spaced parallel vertical supports having their upper ends rigidly united, parallel, rectangular front and rear balanced frames slidably mounted in said supports, each of said frames having removably united thereto a rectangular plate with its central portion removed and carrying a plurality of blades having their ends united to the top and bottom of said plate respectively and all of said blades arranged to travel in substantially the same vertical plane, a drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in line with the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined crankpin with offset base united to the top of the drive-shaft extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, in combination with blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the balanced frames respectively.

9. In a bread slicing machine of the class described, having a pair of frames mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in alternation therein, each frame having removably unitel thereto a plate with its center portion eut out and carrying a plurality of blades having their ends united to the top and bottom of said plates respectively and all of said blades arranged to travel in the same vertical plane, a drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in line with the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined crankpin with offset base united to the top of the driveshaft extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends respectively, in combination with blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the balanced frames respectively.

l0. In a bread slicing machine of the class described, having a pair of frames mounted in a suitable support for vertical reciprocating travel in alternation therein, each frame having bolted thereto a plate with its center portion cut out and carrying a plurality of blades having their ends united to the top and bottom of said plate respectively and all of said blades arranged to travel in the same vertical plane, a drive-shaft below and with its vertical axis in line with the plane of travel of the blades, an inclined crankpin with offset base united to the top of the driveshaft extending upwardly therefrom and inclined toward the axis of the shaft extended with its center point in the line of such axis, a sleeve revolvably mounted upon such crankpin having a driving lever formed integral therewith and extending in opposite directions from the center thereof with its longitudinal axis extended passing through the center of said crankpin, connecting rods having yokes upon their lower ends repectively, in combination with blocks revolvably mounted upon the outer ends of the driving lever and pivoted in said yokes, said connecting rods having their upper ends pivoted in yokes united to the balanced frames respectively.

HARRY J. CRINER.. 

